HercDriver
Adventurer
Looking for some opinions on my dilemma.
To keep my current 99 Jeep XJ which I have a bunch of work into or get a JK Rubicon. My goal with either vehicle is light duty overlanding, camping , light trailer towing and other off road jeep related things.
My 99 Jeep Xj is very capable as is, all of which Ive done myself.
Pros
-Eaton E locker up front.
-Detroit TruTrac LSD in the rear.
-4.5" lift
-NP231 with wider chain and SYE
-32" tires
-Detours Offroad winch mount
-9500# winch with synthetic cable
- Completely gutted and cleaned entire interior
-Rhinoliner on the floorboards to prevent rust
- Not a spec of rust not he unibody (no really)
- Stock tire carrier
- Stock skids (front, rear and transfer case)
-ZJ steering bars
- Pretty much every engine part is new (water pump, T-stat , belts, gaskets, ps pump, pg gearbox ...etc)
- I owe nothing on it obviously, only money I spend on it is play money or maintenance.
- I have a daily already (Cruze) so the Jeep sits and I only use it when I need it.
-Parts are SUPER CHEAP
Cons
- 236,000 miles on motor (it still starts and runs and drives fine ever time I go to drive it). It will probably need a new motor soon which Id put a 5.3 LM7 into it.
- Rear bench seat was removed in favor of a platform for tools, dogs and anything else that needed put in there. So no rear seat for say a baby seat? lol In the event that time comes
- Something goes out on it every few months (ps pump, ball joint etc) even though I have lifetime warranties on all the parts I just take the old on off and put the new one on free of charge.
- Ive changed the rear main seal 3 times and it still leaks ever so slightly (Maybe Im not the person to perform that specific task lol).
- Ill know for a fact Ill never get the money I put into it which I'm ok with as its not my daily and I love tinkering as a hobby.
- Its a 99 and its starting to show signs of wear, it creaks and is getting old. Even though theres nothing wrong with an older vehicle.
-Terrible on gas mileage but I don't care about that because its not a daily
JK Rubicon
Pros
-Electronic lockers (save me from having to do myself)
-Electronic swab disconnects
-Beefier axles stock
-More room all around
-Doors and top can come off for the ultimate jeep experience! (lol)
-Option to add AEV items
-More options to add overland items such as roof racks, tents, cans etc
-They hold their value
- Towing capacity is decent
- Newer vehicle
Cons
-Expensive
-Expensive
-Parts are expensive
-Aftermarket parts come with the "JK" or "Rubicon" tax
-Gas mileage is poor for a daily should I choose to sell the Cruze and daily the Rubicon
-Id need to find a jeep with 4.10s installed already or add gears to one that doesn't have larger gears
Thats all I could list off right now. Those who have JKs or XJ's feel free to chime in with any opinion on the matter. Some of the pros and cons I could be completely off on but its what I could put on a list as of this time. Feel free to ask questions to clarify. Thanks !
Heres a pic of my current XJ
Heres what Id envision the rubicon to look like eventually. Id at least like a basic Rubicon. Having a Hard Rock edition or whatever would just be a plus.
To keep my current 99 Jeep XJ which I have a bunch of work into or get a JK Rubicon. My goal with either vehicle is light duty overlanding, camping , light trailer towing and other off road jeep related things.
My 99 Jeep Xj is very capable as is, all of which Ive done myself.
Pros
-Eaton E locker up front.
-Detroit TruTrac LSD in the rear.
-4.5" lift
-NP231 with wider chain and SYE
-32" tires
-Detours Offroad winch mount
-9500# winch with synthetic cable
- Completely gutted and cleaned entire interior
-Rhinoliner on the floorboards to prevent rust
- Not a spec of rust not he unibody (no really)
- Stock tire carrier
- Stock skids (front, rear and transfer case)
-ZJ steering bars
- Pretty much every engine part is new (water pump, T-stat , belts, gaskets, ps pump, pg gearbox ...etc)
- I owe nothing on it obviously, only money I spend on it is play money or maintenance.
- I have a daily already (Cruze) so the Jeep sits and I only use it when I need it.
-Parts are SUPER CHEAP
Cons
- 236,000 miles on motor (it still starts and runs and drives fine ever time I go to drive it). It will probably need a new motor soon which Id put a 5.3 LM7 into it.
- Rear bench seat was removed in favor of a platform for tools, dogs and anything else that needed put in there. So no rear seat for say a baby seat? lol In the event that time comes
- Something goes out on it every few months (ps pump, ball joint etc) even though I have lifetime warranties on all the parts I just take the old on off and put the new one on free of charge.
- Ive changed the rear main seal 3 times and it still leaks ever so slightly (Maybe Im not the person to perform that specific task lol).
- Ill know for a fact Ill never get the money I put into it which I'm ok with as its not my daily and I love tinkering as a hobby.
- Its a 99 and its starting to show signs of wear, it creaks and is getting old. Even though theres nothing wrong with an older vehicle.
-Terrible on gas mileage but I don't care about that because its not a daily
JK Rubicon
Pros
-Electronic lockers (save me from having to do myself)
-Electronic swab disconnects
-Beefier axles stock
-More room all around
-Doors and top can come off for the ultimate jeep experience! (lol)
-Option to add AEV items
-More options to add overland items such as roof racks, tents, cans etc
-They hold their value
- Towing capacity is decent
- Newer vehicle
Cons
-Expensive
-Expensive
-Parts are expensive
-Aftermarket parts come with the "JK" or "Rubicon" tax
-Gas mileage is poor for a daily should I choose to sell the Cruze and daily the Rubicon
-Id need to find a jeep with 4.10s installed already or add gears to one that doesn't have larger gears
Thats all I could list off right now. Those who have JKs or XJ's feel free to chime in with any opinion on the matter. Some of the pros and cons I could be completely off on but its what I could put on a list as of this time. Feel free to ask questions to clarify. Thanks !
Heres a pic of my current XJ
Heres what Id envision the rubicon to look like eventually. Id at least like a basic Rubicon. Having a Hard Rock edition or whatever would just be a plus.